Folding boom assembly

ABSTRACT

A folding boom assembly having three articulately connected boom sections that are movable from a generally horizontal, aligned position to a generally upright, side-by-side position. The adjacent ends of the boom sections are pivotally connected together. A power transmitting mechanism having a first elongated flexible member connects the first boom section with the second boom section and a second elongated member connects the first boom section with the third boom section. A hydraulic motor operates with the power transmitting mechanism to control the folding and unfolding of the boom sections of the boom assembly.

United States Patent 1 1 Hitchcock 1 July 24, 1973 1 FOLDING BOOMASSEMBLY 3,589,134 6/1971 l-lackmann 214/1 CM l K th h k 't h [76]mentor z g 3: H1 c cock Primary ExaminerManuel A. Antonakas g AssistantExaminerWesley S. Ratliff, Jr. [22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1971 Attorney-Burd,Braddock & Bartz 21 A 1. No.: 174376 1 pp g 57 ABSTRACT A folding boomassembly having three articulately confi 74/101 43 172622 nected boomsections that are movable from a gener- 172]26- ally horizontal, alignedposition to a generally upright, l 1 o are CM R side-by-side position.The adjacent ends of the boom sections are pivotallyconnected together.A power transmitting mechanism having a first elongated flexi- [56]References Cited ble member connects the first boom section with theUNITED STATES PATENTS second boom section and a second elongated member2,175,282 10/1939 Cormany 172/126 connects the first boom section withthe third boom 2,828,679 /1 58 se 172/126 section. A hydraulic motoroperates with the power gaz -A transmitting mechanism to control thefolding and unu ar 3,411,606 11/1968 oldakowski at al foldlng of theboom sectlons of the boom assembly. 3,414,136 12/1968 Moore et al. 214/1CM 29 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENIEB JUL 24 I973 SHEU 1 OF 2nvv'lilw'ma. KENNETH o. HITCHCOCK AT TORNEYS PMENIEB l- W SHEE'I E OF 2INVENTOR. KENNETH o. HITCHCOCK AT TOR NEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONNon-folding boom assemblies carrying row markers are used withagricultural implements to form guide furrows or linear marks in thesoil. The non-folding assemblies have substantial length and have beenraised and lowered with hydraulic cylinders. Examples of these types ofmarkers are shown by Martin in U. S. Pat. No. 3,158,204 and Day in U. S.Pat. No. 3,250,333. Folding row markers have been developed to reducethe overhead and lateral clearnace problems of the marker, Examples oflaterally foldable arm assemblies carrying a row marker are shown byWhite in U. S. Pat. No. 1,911,218 and Yerkes U. S. Pat. No. 3,072,200.The lateral length of the marker is limited by the combined length ofthe two sections of the arm assembly. A panograph-type arm assemblycarrying a marker was developed by Cook, as shown in his U. S. Pat. No.1,046,559.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a folding boomassembly that has three pivotally related boom sections. The pivotalrelationship of the boom sections is controlled by a power transmittingmechanism coupled to the boom sections. A power unit is operable to movea first boom section from a generally horizontal position to a generallyupright position. When the first boom section is moved, the powertransmitting mechanism causes the remaining two boom sections to fold ina generally upright position adjacent the first boom section. The powertransmitting mechanism has a first elongated member having one endattached to a fixed member and the opposite end attached to a memberfixedto the second boom section. A second elongated member isoperatively connected to the first section and the third section. Thefirst elongated member and the second elongated member function inconjunction with the movement of the first boom section to fold thesecond and third boom sections adjacent the first boom section in anupright side-by-side position.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the folding boom assemblyof the invention mounted on fixed supports;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1 with the boom assemblypartially folded, illustrated in broken lines;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the boom assembly in its foldedposition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the boom assembly taken alongline 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the foldingboom assembly of the invention, indicated generally at 10, mounted on asupport structure. The support structure is shown as a pair of fixedmembers I1 and 12. The members 11 and 12 may be the frame of a row cropplanter, grain drill, or similar implement as shown, for example, in U.S. Patents No. 1,91 1,218, No. 3,158,204 andNo. 3,250,333. The supports11 and 12 can also be the frame structure of spraying equipment used toapply chemicals to the soil,

vegetation or crops. In use, a pair of folding boom assemblies areattached to opposite ends of supports l1 and 12 or on opposite sides ofthe implement, as shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,250,333.

The folding boom assembly 10 has three pivotally interrelatedboom-sections indicated generally at 13, 14 and 15. The sections l3, l4and 15 are positionable in a generally extended horizontal end-to-endposition over the ground, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and are movable toa generally upright folded side-by-side position, as shown in FIG. 3.Section 13 is a first or base section that is pivotally connected tosupports 11 and 12. Pivotally mounted on the base section 13 is a secondor intermediate section 14. The third or outer end section 15 ispivotally mounted on the outer end of the second section 14. The powertransmitting mechanism, indicated generally at 16, operatively couplesthe first, second and third boom sections 113, 14 and 15 together tocontrol the relative articulate movements of the sections. An expandablepower means, as a fluid motor, hydraulic ram, hydraulic cylinder orexpandable power unit, indicated generally at 17, is operable to controlthe movement of the folding boom assembly 10 from the generallyhorizontal position shown in FIG. 1 to the folded position shown in FIG.3.

The base section 13 comprises a pair of elongated side rails or members18 and 119. Spaced cross bars 21 and 22 extend between and are securedat their opposite ends to the side rails 18 and 19. A transverse rod 23is secured to the inner ends of side rails 18 and 19. The rod isrotatably mounted in sleeve bearings 24, 26 and 27 which rotatably mountthe base section 13 about a generally horizontal axis extended in thedirection of movement of the boom assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of downwardly directed side plates 28and 29 have their upper ends secured to the sleeve bearing 24. Theoutside edges of plates 28 and 29 have outwardly open V notches 31 forreceiving the support 12. A clamp 32 extends about the outside of thesupport 12 and is attached to the plate 29 with a pair of nut and boltassemblies 33 and 34. Cross plates 36 and 37 have suitable holes for thenut and bolt assemblies 33 and 34 so that the clamp 32 fixes the plates28 and 29 to the support 12.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a second pair of generally upright plates 38and 39 are secured at their upper ends to the sleeve bearings 26 and 27.The plates 38 and 39 have outwardly directed V notches 40 foraccommodating the support 11. A clamp 41 carrying nut and boltassemblies 42 and 43 extends about the support 11 to hold the plates 38and 39 in fixed relation to the support 111. The upper ends of theplates 38 and 39 have middle notches for accommodating the inner end ofside rail 18.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second boom section 14 has a pair ofoutwardly directed side rails or members 44 and 46. The inner ends ofrails 44 and 46 are rotatably mounted on a transverse rod 47 with sleevebearings or tubular members 48 and 49. The opposite ends of rods 47 aresecured to the outer ends of rails 18 and 19 of the first boom section13. The side rails 44 and 46 converge in an outwardly direction and arejoined at their outer ends with a transverse rod 54.

The third or outer end section 13 comprises a single elongated bar 51.Secured to the inner end of bar 51 is a transverse sleeve bearing 52.Sleeve bearing 52 is rotatably mounted on the rod 54. Gusset braces 53join the inner end of the bar 51 to the bearing 52.

A ground engaging wheel assembly 56 is mounted on the bar 51. Anadjustable clamp 57 is used to attach the wheel assembly 56 to bar 51.Additional earth working tools or marker structures can be attached tobar 51 along its length so that one or more marks or furrows can be madein the soil.

As shown in FIG. 6, the power transmitting mechanism 16 has a firstelongated member of link chain 58 and a second elongated member or linkchain 67. One end of chain 58 is located over a portion of a gear 59. Agusset plate 62 secures the gear 59 to plate 38. The gear 59 is alsosecured to sleeve bearing 26. A pin 61, or similar suitable fastener,attaches the chain 58 to the gear 59. As shown in FIG. 6, the oppositeend of chain 58 is trained about a gear 63 mounted on sleeve bearing 48.A fastener 64, as a pin or bolt, fixes the chain to gear 63. The chain58 includes a turnbuckle 66 operable to vary the length of the chain 58,thereby controlling the pivotal angle between the first boom section 13and the second boom section 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second elongated member or chain 67connects rod 47 with the tubular bearing 52. Chain 67 is trained about afirst gear 68 secured to rod 47. The opposite end of chain 67 is trainedabout a gear 69 secured to the sleeve bearing 52. The chain 67 has apair of turnbuckles 71 and 72 operable to adjust opposite segments ofthe chain and thereby control the pivotal relationship and alignment ofsecond boom 14 and third boom section 15 relative to each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, the expandable power unit or fluid motor, indicatedgenerally at 17, comprises a hydraulic cylinder 73 attached to a fixedbracket 74 with a pivot pin 76. The bracket 74 is secured to the fixedplate 29 and projects outwardly therefrom. The cylinder 73 carries amovable rod 77. The outer end of rod 77 is pivotally connected to adownwardly directed ear 78 with a pin 79. Ear 78 is fixed to the bottomside of the side rail 18.

In use, the fluid motor 17 holds the first boom section 13 in agenerally horizontal position above the top of ground 86, as shown inFIG. 2. On extension or operation of the fluid motor 17, the first boomsection 13 is pivoted in an upward direction, as shown in broken linesand arrow 81 in FIG. 2. The boom section 13 pivots about the axis of thetransverse rod 23. The first chain 58, being anchored to gear 59 at aposition spaced from the axis of rotation, permits the gear 68 to rotatein the direction of arrow 82. This allows the second boom section 14 toswing inwardly in the direction of arrow 83 until the second boomsection 14 is in sideby-side relation with the first section 13, asshown in FIG. 3.

The third section 15 pivots upwardly in the direction of arrow 84. Thesecond chain 67, being trained about the gears 68 and 69, moves in thedirection of arrow 86. This folding action continues as the fluid motor17 is expanded. As shown in FIG. 3, when the boom assembly is in thefolded position, the first, second and third sections 13, 14 and are ina generally upright side-by-side relationship.

On contraction of the fluid motor 17, the boom assembly 10 will unfoldto the horizontal position, as shown in FIG. 2. The boom section 13 isheld in the horizontal position with fluid motor 17. The powertransmitting mechanism 16 holds the second and third sections 14 and 15respectively in generally horizontal alignment with the first section13. The end of the third section 15 is supported with a ground engagingwheel 56.

Earth marking tools, as rotatable discs and shovels, can be attached tothe bar 51 so that they mark the ground 86. The boom sections 13, 14 and15 can carry a plurality of spray nozzles or other fluid dispensingunits whereby the boom assembly is used with a fluid spraying machine.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention, it is understood that various changes in the linkages andboom structures may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. The invention is describedin the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivelege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A folding boom assembly mountable on a support comprising:

a first boom section having a first end and second end;

means for pivotally mounting the first end of the first end of the firstboom section to said support for pivotal movement of said first boomsection from a generally horizontal position to a generally uprightposition;

expandable means connected to the first boom section to control thepivoting of the first boom section;

a second boom section having a first end and second end;

means pivotally connecting the first end of the second boom section withthe second end of the first boom section;

a third boom section having a first end and second end;

means pivotally connecting the first end of the third boom section withthe second end of the second boom section;

power transmitting mechanism coupling the boom sections to fold thesecond and third boom sections adjacent the first boom section inresponse to movement of the first boom section by the expandable meansto its generally upright position, said power transmitting mechanismincluding an elongated first member having a first portion attached to afixed member and a second portion attached to a member fixed to thefirst end of the second boom section,

and an elongated second member having a first portion attached to thesecond end of the first boom section and the first end of the third boomsection, said second member being a chain trained over a first gearsecured to a shaft attached to the second end of the first boom sectionand a second gear attached to the first end of the third boom section.

2. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: said first boom sectionhas a pair of elongated side rails and a transverse rod secured to theouter end of the side rails.

3. The folding boom assembly of claim 2 wherein: the second boom sectionhas a pair of elongated side rails, said side rails of the second boomsection being secured to means for pivotally mounting the side rails tothe rod.

4. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the third boom sectioncomprises an elongated linear bar and means pivotally mounting one endof the bar to the second end of the second boom section.

5. The folding boom assembly of claim 4 wherein: the second boom sectionhas a transverse rod at the second end thereof, said means of the thirdboom section is pivotally mounted on said rod.

6. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: said expandable meanscomprises an expandable and contractible hydraulic cylinder.

7. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the elongated firstmember is a chain and the fixed member is a gear.

8. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the fixed member isattached to the means mounting the first boom section to the support.

9. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the power transmittingmechanism includes an elongated member having a first portion attachedto a fixed member and a second portion attached to a member fixed to thesecond boom section.

10. The folding boom assembly of claim 9 wherein: the fixed member isattached to the means mounting the first boom section to the support.

11. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the mounting means forattaching the first boom section to the support includes means connectedto the expandable means.

12. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 including: ground engagingwheel means mounted on the third boom section.

13. A folding boom assembly mountable on a support comprising: a firstboom section having a first end and a second end; means for pivotallymounting the first end of the first boom section to said support forpivotal movement of said first boom section from a generally horizontalposition to a generally upright position; expandable means connected tothe first boom section to control the pivoting of the first boomsection; a second boom section having a first end and a second end and atransverse rod secured to the second end thereof; means pivotallyconnecting the first end of the second boom section with the second endof the first boom section; a third boom section having a first end and asecond end; meanspivotally connecting the first end of the third boomsection to the transverse rod of the second boom section; and powertransmitting means coupling the boom sections to fold the second andthird boom sections adjacent the first boom section in response tomovement of the first boom section by the expandable means to itsgenerally upright position, said power transmitting means including anelongated chain having a first portion attached to a fixed gear and asecond portion attached to a member fixed to the first end of the secondboom section and an elongated second member having a first portionattached to the second end of the first boom section and the first endof the third boom section.

14. The folding boom assembly of claim 13 wherein: said first boomsection has a pair of elongated side rails and a transverse rod securedto the outer end of the side rails.

15. The folding boom assembly of claim 14 wherein: the second boomsection has a pair of elongated side rails, said side rails of thesecond boom section being secured to means for pivotally mounting theside rails to the rod.

16. The folding boom assembly of claim 13 wherein: said power meanscomprises an expandable and contractible hydraulic cylinder.

17. The folding boom assembly of claim 13 wherein: the elongated secondmember is a chain trained over a first gear secured to a shaft attachedto the second end of the first boom section and a second gear attachedto the first end of the third boom section.

18. The folding boom assembly of claim 13 wherein: the fixed gear isattached to the means mounting the first boom section to the support.

19. A folding boom assembly mountable on a support comprising: a firstboom section having a first end and second end; first means forpivotally mounting the first end of the first boom section to saidsupport for pivotal movement of said first boom section from a generallyhorizontal position to a generally upright position; power meansconnected to the first boom section to control the pivotal movement ofthe first boom section between the horizontal position and uprightposition; a second boom section having a first end and second end and atransverse rod at the second end thereof; second means pivotallyconnecting the first end of the second boom section with the second endof the first boom section; a third boom section comprising an elongatedlinear bar having a first end and second end; third means pivotallyconnecting the one end of the bar with the second end of the second boomsection, said third means being pivotally mounted on said transverserod; and power transmitting means connected to the second means, thirdmeans, and a fixed means for controlling the positions of the second andthird boom sections, said power transmitting means operable to fold thesecond and third boom sections adjacent the first boom section inresponse to movement of the first boom section by the power means to itsgenerally upright position.

20. The folding boom assembly of claim 19 wherein: said power meanscomprises an expandable and contractible hydraulic cylinder.

21. The folding boom assembly of claim 19 wherein: the powertransmitting means includes an elongated first member having a firstportion attached to a fixed member and a second portion attached to amember fixed to the first end of the second boom section, and anelongated second member having a first portion attached to the secondend of the first boom section and the first end of the third boomsection.

22. The folding boom assembly of claim 21 wherein: the elongated secondmember is a chain trained over a first gear secured to a shaft attachedto the second end of the first boom section and a second gear attachedto the first end of the third boom section.

23. The folding boom assembly of claim 19 wherein: the powertransmitting means includes an elongated member having a first portionattached to a fixed member and a second portion attached to a memberfixed to the second boom section.

24. The folding boom assembly of claim 19 wherein: the mounting meansfor attaching the first boom section to the support includes meansconnected to the power means.

25. A folding boom assembly mountable on a support comprising: a firstboom section having a first end and second end; first means forpivotally mounting the first end of the first boom section to saidsupport for pivotal movement of said first boom section from a generallyhorizontal position to a generally upright position; power meansconnected to the first boom section to control the pivotal movement ofthe first boom section between the horizontal position and uprightposition; a second boom section having a first end and second end;second means pivotally connecting the first end of the second boomsection with the second end of the first boom section; a third boomsection having a first end and second end; third means pivotallyconnecting the first end of the third boom section with the second endof the second boom section; and power transmitting means connected tothe second means, third means, and a fixed means for controlling thepositions of the second and third boom sections, said power transmittingmeans operable to fold the second and third boom sections adjacent thefirst boom section in response to movement of the first boom section bythe power means to its generally upright position; and ground engagingwheel means mounted on the third boom section.

26. The folding boom assembly of claim 25 wherein: said first boomsection has a pair of elongated side rails and a transverse rod securedat the outer end of the side rails.

27. The folding boom assembly of claim 26 wherein: the second boomsection has a pair of elongated side rails, said side rails of thesecond boom section being secured to means for pivotally mounting theside rails to the rod.

28. The folding boom assembly of claim 25 wherein: the third boomsection comprises an elongated linear bar and means pivotally mountingone end of the bar to the second end of the second boom section.

29. The folding boom assembly of claim 25 wherein: the powertransmitting means includes an elongated first member having a firstportion attached to a fixed member and a second portion attached to amember fixed to the first end of the second boom section, and anelongated second member having a first portion attached to the secondend of the first boom section and first end of the third boom section.

* I l i t

1. A folding boom assembly mountable on a support comprising: a firstboom section having a first end and second end; means for pivotallymounting the first end of the first end of the first boom section tosaid support for pivotal movement of said first boom section from agenerally horizontal position to a generally upright position;expandable means connected to the first boom section to control thepivoting of the first boom section; a second boom section having a firstend and second end; means pivotally connecting the first end of thesecond boom section with the second end of the first boom section; athird boom section having a first end and second end; means pivotallyconnecting the first end of the third boom section with the second endof the second boom section; power transmitting mechanism coupling theboom sections to fold the second and third boom sections adjacent thefirst boom section in response to movement of the first boom section bythe expandable means to its generally upright position, said powertransmitting mechanism including an elongated first member having afirst portion attached to a fixed member and a second portion attachedto a member fixed to the first end of the second boom section, and anelongated second member having a first portion attached to the secondend of the first boom section and the first end of the third boomsection, said second member being a chain trained over a first gearsecured to a shaft attached to the second end of the first boom sectionand a second gear attached to the first end of the third boom section.2. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: said first boom sectionhas a pair of elongated side rails and a transverse rod secured to theouter end of the side rails.
 3. The folding boom assembly of claim 2wherein: the second boom section has a pair of elongated side rails,said side rails of the second boom section being secured to means forpivotally mounting the side rails to the rod.
 4. The folding boomassembly of claim 1 wherein: the third boom section comprises anelongated linear bar and means pivotally mounting one end of the bar tothe second end of the second boom section.
 5. The folding boom assemblyof claim 4 wherein: the second boom section has a transverse rod at thesecond end thereof, said means of the third boom section is pivotallymounted on said rod.
 6. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein:said expandable means comprises an expandable and contractible hydrauliccylinder.
 7. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the elongatedfirst member is a chain and the fixed member is a gear.
 8. The foldingboom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the fixed member is attached to themeans mounting the first boom section to the support.
 9. The foldingboom assembly of claim 1 wherein: the power transmitting mechanismincludes an elongated member having a first portion attached to a fixedmember and a second portion attached to a member fixed to the secondboom section.
 10. The folding boom assembly of claim 9 wherein: thefixed member is attached to the means mounting the first boom section tothe support.
 11. The folding boom assembly of claim 1 wherein: themounting means for attaching the first boom section to the supportincludes means connected to the expandable means.
 12. The folding boomassembly of claim 1 including: ground engaging wheel means mounted onthe third boom section.
 13. A folding boom assembly mountable on asupport comprising: a first boom section having a first end and a secondend; means for pivotally mounting the first end of the first boomsection to said support for pivOtal movement of said first boom sectionfrom a generally horizontal position to a generally upright position;expandable means connected to the first boom section to control thepivoting of the first boom section; a second boom section having a firstend and a second end and a transverse rod secured to the second endthereof; means pivotally connecting the first end of the second boomsection with the second end of the first boom section; a third boomsection having a first end and a second end; means pivotally connectingthe first end of the third boom section to the transverse rod of thesecond boom section; and power transmitting means coupling the boomsections to fold the second and third boom sections adjacent the firstboom section in response to movement of the first boom section by theexpandable means to its generally upright position, said powertransmitting means including an elongated chain having a first portionattached to a fixed gear and a second portion attached to a member fixedto the first end of the second boom section, and an elongated secondmember having a first portion attached to the second end of the firstboom section and the first end of the third boom section.
 14. Thefolding boom assembly of claim 13 wherein: said first boom section has apair of elongated side rails and a transverse rod secured to the outerend of the side rails.
 15. The folding boom assembly of claim 14wherein: the second boom section has a pair of elongated side rails,said side rails of the second boom section being secured to means forpivotally mounting the side rails to the rod.
 16. The folding boomassembly of claim 13 wherein: said power means comprises an expandableand contractible hydraulic cylinder.
 17. The folding boom assembly ofclaim 13 wherein: the elongated second member is a chain trained over afirst gear secured to a shaft attached to the second end of the firstboom section and a second gear attached to the first end of the thirdboom section.
 18. The folding boom assembly of claim 13 wherein: thefixed gear is attached to the means mounting the first boom section tothe support.
 19. A folding boom assembly mountable on a supportcomprising: a first boom section having a first end and second end;first means for pivotally mounting the first end of the first boomsection to said support for pivotal movement of said first boom sectionfrom a generally horizontal position to a generally upright position;power means connected to the first boom section to control the pivotalmovement of the first boom section between the horizontal position andupright position; a second boom section having a first end and secondend and a transverse rod at the second end thereof; second meanspivotally connecting the first end of the second boom section with thesecond end of the first boom section; a third boom section comprising anelongated linear bar having a first end and second end; third meanspivotally connecting the one end of the bar with the second end of thesecond boom section, said third means being pivotally mounted on saidtransverse rod; and power transmitting means connected to the secondmeans, third means, and a fixed means for controlling the positions ofthe second and third boom sections, said power transmitting meansoperable to fold the second and third boom sections adjacent the firstboom section in response to movement of the first boom section by thepower means to its generally upright position.
 20. The folding boomassembly of claim 19 wherein: said power means comprises an expandableand contractible hydraulic cylinder.
 21. The folding boom assembly ofclaim 19 wherein: the power transmitting means includes an elongatedfirst member having a first portion attached to a fixed member and asecond portion attached to a member fixed to the first end of the secondboom section, and an elongated second member having a first portionattached to the second end of the first boom section and the first endof the third boom secTion.
 22. The folding boom assembly of claim 21wherein: the elongated second member is a chain trained over a firstgear secured to a shaft attached to the second end of the first boomsection and a second gear attached to the first end of the third boomsection.
 23. The folding boom assembly of claim 19 wherein: the powertransmitting means includes an elongated member having a first portionattached to a fixed member and a second portion attached to a memberfixed to the second boom section.
 24. The folding boom assembly of claim19 wherein: the mounting means for attaching the first boom section tothe support includes means connected to the power means.
 25. A foldingboom assembly mountable on a support comprising: a first boom sectionhaving a first end and second end; first means for pivotally mountingthe first end of the first boom section to said support for pivotalmovement of said first boom section from a generally horizontal positionto a generally upright position; power means connected to the first boomsection to control the pivotal movement of the first boom sectionbetween the horizontal position and upright position; a second boomsection having a first end and second end; second means pivotallyconnecting the first end of the second boom section with the second endof the first boom section; a third boom section having a first end andsecond end; third means pivotally connecting the first end of the thirdboom section with the second end of the second boom section; and powertransmitting means connected to the second means, third means, and afixed means for controlling the positions of the second and third boomsections, said power transmitting means operable to fold the second andthird boom sections adjacent the first boom section in response tomovement of the first boom section by the power means to its generallyupright position; and ground engaging wheel means mounted on the thirdboom section.
 26. The folding boom assembly of claim 25 wherein: saidfirst boom section has a pair of elongated side rails and a transverserod secured at the outer end of the side rails.
 27. The folding boomassembly of claim 26 wherein: the second boom section has a pair ofelongated side rails, said side rails of the second boom section beingsecured to means for pivotally mounting the side rails to the rod. 28.The folding boom assembly of claim 25 wherein: the third boom sectioncomprises an elongated linear bar and means pivotally mounting one endof the bar to the second end of the second boom section.
 29. The foldingboom assembly of claim 25 wherein: the power transmitting means includesan elongated first member having a first portion attached to a fixedmember and a second portion attached to a member fixed to the first endof the second boom section, and an elongated second member having afirst portion attached to the second end of the first boom section andfirst end of the third boom section.